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Academic Advising

The College of Engineering is committed to recruiting, retaining, and graduating the top students for the engineering profession. Academic advising is an intentional process designed to advance the College’s commitment by supporting students as they develop and pursue their own educational, career, and personal goals. Every student is assigned an academic advisor throughout their undergraduate years at NC State.

Taking Ownership of Your Education

While academic advisors do offer guidance on how to excel academically and make satisfactory progress toward degree completion, students are held responsible for setting their own goals, for making their own choices, for acting upon those choices, and for owning the consequences of those choices. This aligns with the academic advisor’s role in fostering self-efficacy, critical thinking skills, and purpose among future leaders in engineering.

In the academic advising process, the students (advisees) are held responsible for:

  • Planning programs of study and meeting graduation requirements
  • Keeping up to date with university, college and department curriculum requirements through materials available from faculty advisors, your departmental coordinator of advising, and/or NC State’s Registration and Records
  • Remaining informed of academic deadlines and changes in academic policies as updated in the NC State policies, rules, and regulations
  • Consulting with academic advisors at each pre-registration period and other times as needed
  • Arriving at appointments prepared with any required paperwork and forms
  • Checking degree audits before and after enrollment and each semester to track progress through the degree

Partnering and Engaging with Your Academic Advisor

Opportunities and resources abound that can foster student success, and academic advisors engage students in creating and executing plans on how to take full advantage of opportunities and resources during their undergraduate years. Academic advisors can facilitate timely, well-informed decision-making among students to identify opportunities, to consider alternatives, to anticipate consequences, and to assess plans with the student’s best interests in mind.

In the academic advising process, the advisors are held responsible for:

  • Being available for appointments at appropriate times and places
  • Providing timely, accurate information about academic regulations and procedures, course prerequisites and graduation requirements
  • Assisting students in planning academic programs suited to their interests, abilities and career objectives
  • Discussing with advisees appropriate course choices in fulfilling curriculum requirements as well as possible consequences of alternative curricular choices
  • Informing their advisees when their proposed course selections conflict with university academic or curricular regulations
  • Assisting advisees with following proper procedures for various exceptions
  • Referring advisees to campus resources, such as special testing or counseling, as needed
  • Assisting advisees in considering the appropriateness of academic adjustments where these become necessary in cases of extenuating circumstances

Prospective First Year Students

All engineering degrees are designed to be completed within 8 semesters (4 academic years) for students ready to start in MA 141 Calculus I and CH 101 General Chemistry in their first semester. The prerequisite for calculus is a strong foundation in pre-calculus topics such as algebra and trigonometry, and the prerequisite for college chemistry is one year’s worth of high school chemistry. While not required, students who have taken and performed well in advanced courses, particularly in math, chemistry, and physics while in high school, are best prepared for the academic rigor of the College.

Admission to the Engineering First Year Program

All new engineering students join the College as part of our Engineering First-Year (EFY) Program and will be assigned an academic advisor before classes begin. New students who already know which engineering major they plan to pursue may indicate so on the admissions application as their intended major. Departmental advisors are assigned to new students based upon engineering interest. New students who are undecided or open to opportunities will be assigned an academic advisor in the College of Engineering’s Office of Academic Affairs who can advise new students in their exploration of majors and career paths as well as the decision-making process.

Joining the College via Exploratory Studies

There are viable pathways for first-year students who start in Exploratory Studies to officially join an engineering department. Academic advisors in Exploratory Studies are well equipped to advise first-year students interested in engineering.

Exploratory Studies is a comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of first-year students who wish to explore their options in order to find a “best fit” major. With a focus on cross-curricular academic advising, career assessment, guided exploration of majors and careers, and programming to allow students opportunities to interact with advisors, faculty, upper-class students and professionals from different fields, Exploratory Studies students are able to discover their passions and make an informed decision on a major, including engineering.

From Early Colleges and Dual-Enrollment Programs to Engineering First Year

First-year students are bringing in more college coursework than ever before, and that is especially true for the College of Engineering. The College is committed to enrolling North Carolina early college high school students. First-year applicants can receive credit for all college courses taken during high school as well as AP and IB exam credit and many enter with enough credit hours to be classified as a sophomore or junior.

For early college high school students enrolled through a North Carolina community college, we follow the transfer of course credit policy as defined in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the UNC system and the North Carolina Community College System. This includes graduates from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). For other Early College High Schools, we make decisions on transfer of courses based on our evaluation of the courses. Please use the transferable credit database from Undergraduate Admissions to help you determine how your credits will transfer to NC State.

In addition, Undergraduate Admissions provides CAA Community College Pathway Degree Plans on their website. The College of Engineering designed these Baccalaureate Degree Plans to allow students to complete their BS degree in two years or slightly longer, depending on the major. Due to NC State course offerings and prerequisites, some Baccalaureate Degree Plans include part-time semester course loads. In order to maintain full-time status, students in these majors may wish to consider a minor or double major. While these were created specifically to assist students at North Carolina community colleges prepare to transfer to NC State, prospective first-year students with dual enrollment at community colleges may also find these transfer pathways useful. Following a degree plan does not guarantee admission to NC State or guarantee an AA/AS degree or BA/BS degree will be conferred and the courses included in the pathways can change at any time.

Early college high school students will receive comprehensive academic advising upon admission at New Student Orientation. Academic advisors will explain to students how incoming credit hours may satisfy engineering degree requirements and help students enroll in the most appropriate courses based upon academic preparedness, remaining degree requirements, and their interests in particular majors and career paths. Students are welcome to meet with academic advisors after summer orientation to map a long-term plan for degree completion.

You can get a jump start on your college requirements and make sure the college-level courses you take will transfer to NC State. Credit opportunities for high school students entering with advanced standing can be found below.

Engineering Partnerships with Other Institutions

The College has extended engineering degree opportunities through formal partnership agreements with a number of North Carolina institutions. In most programs, you begin your instruction at a partner institution and then transfer to and attend NC State to complete your engineering degree.

Engineering student at CCC works on project.

Newly Admitted First Year Students

New incoming Engineering First Year (EFY) students will be assigned an academic advisor before classes begin. If a student indicated an “Intended” major in their admissions packet, then their assigned advisor will be a faculty member in the chosen department. In addition, the student will be assigned the associated “sub-plan” on their degree audit, such as 14MSI (Materials Science Intended), 14ECI (Electrical and Computer Engineering Intended), etc. (Note: This is not a commitment to the degree program). EFY students with “intended” majors who change their minds or want to explore other engineering majors can seek academic advising from the Office of Academic Affairs.

Students who apply with no intended engineering major will be assigned a general engineering advisor in the Office of Academic Affairs. These students will not have an assigned sub-plan on their degree audit. All EFY students are welcome to seek academic advising from Academic Affairs.

New Student Orientation

In the summer prior to fall classes, incoming students attend New Student Orientation. Orientation is a program that is required of all first-year students to facilitate a student’s transition to college life and the start of their engineering education. The program is designed to help prepare students for the transition to NC State, as well as for the intellectual, emotional, academic and social challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Prior to orientation students will have suggested courses added in their MyPack Planner based on a common first year of courses, available placement scores plus earned credit opportunities. Additionally, advising information will be provided and students will have the opportunity to make schedule adjustments prior to orientation. During New Student Orientation, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and make additional schedule adjustments as needed.

For more information about new student orientation, visit the New Student Orientation website.

Expectations for COE New Student Orientation (NSO)

In May the College will pre-enroll its new first-year students into their required first-semester engineering course from the common first year and place other recommended first-year classes into a their MyPack Degree Planner. Prerequisites can be satisfied using earned credit opportunities reported to Undergraduate Admissions as well as math and chemistry placement assessment scores.

New Student Programs offers an orientation session in June specific to Summer Start students and their families. Go to Summer Start Orientation to learn specific details about dates, times, cost, registration, lodging, parking, accommodations, and more.

Once students have signed up to participate in Summer Start, the College will initiate virtual academic advising via e-mail with each student about their preferred courses. Summer Start in conjunction with the College’s advisors will enroll students into summer courses on their behalf prior to orientation. Therefore, to facilitate academic advising and course registration, participating students must check their NCSU e-mail account every day and respond to both phone calls and emails from NC State in a timely manner.

Otherwise, the College has the same expectations of participants in the Summer Start’s NSO as the rest of our new first-year students as described below.

NC State offers Math and Chemistry placement assessments, which are free and available online. These placement tests should be completed prior to attending New Student Orientation for the College to suggest appropriate pre-engineering courses for the most comprehensive academic advising experience to occur.

The College highly recommends that all incoming students follow the New Student Checklist from New Student Programs to register to attend NSO and to prepare for orientation. In addition, here is the College’s checklist for new students to prepare for the most comprehensive academic advising at orientation.

Every student must:

  • Report all test scores from Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to NC State – Request that each testing agency send all scores to NC State. Undergraduate Admissions does not accept scores from high school or college transcripts. A full list of the AP/IB credit policies recognized by NC State are available online at Undergraduate Admissions.
  • CHEMISTRY: Complete the chemistry placement exam by May 17 – All engineering curricula include CH 101 General Chemistry. No student will be allowed to enroll in CH 101 at NC State without having taken the Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE).
    • If you have not earned college-level credit for CH 101, you MUST take the Chemistry Placement Exam. It is recommended that you do so by May 17th, but the exam will remain available. 
    • If you have received credit for CH 101/102 through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or college transfer, you feel confident in your abilities, and you know you will not retake CH 101 here at NC State, you do not need to the to take the CPE.
    • If you have never taken a chemistry course at the high school-level, you should enroll in CH 111, Preparatory Chemistry.
  • MATH: Complete the math placement assessment by May 17 – All engineering curricula include a three-part calculus sequence of MA 141 Calculus I, MA 241 Calculus II, and MA 242 Calculus III.
    • If you have not earned college-level credit for MA 141 (calculus 1), you should take the ALKES Math Placement Assessment. It is recommended that you do so by May 17th, but the exam will remain available. This assessment can place students into MA 141 (calculus 1) or MA 108 or MA 111 (pre-calculus). If you are currently enrolled in an AP class AP exam scores from the high school senior year will not arrive prior to NSO, so by completing the math placement assessment, you can still register in a math course prior to NSO while awaiting AP scores to be reported. Once AP scores are posted, students can adjust their schedule with the guidance of an academic advisor.
    • If you have received an AP score, IB credit, or other college level credit for calculus 1 (MA 141) and they wish to move forward into MA 241 or MA 242 (as prerequisites allow) they do not have to take the math placement assessment. If you are waiting on an AP score, we recommend that you take the assessment. If you have multiple placement indicators, the College will honor your highest level of placement.
  • Send all official transcripts from high schools, colleges, and universities to NC State’s Undergraduate Admissions for transfer credits. Students cannot register for an upper-level math class (MA 241  or higher) unless they have reported transfer credits. Once transfer credits are posted, students can adjust their schedule with the guidance of an academic advisor.
  • Complete the online advising modules. These advising modules will be available to you beginning Thursday, May 23. Completing these modules will take between 2 and 4 hours; they are housed on an NC State platform called Moodle, in a project space called “Engineering First Year Advising & Registration.” Moodle is a site that houses course web pages that you’ll also utilize in the fall. Completing these modules will give you all the information you need to confidently make changes to your fall schedule. If you have successfully completed your advising modules by May 30th, your advisement hold will be released prior to your enrollment date in early June, giving you access to make changes to your fall schedule as early as possible. If you complete the modules after May 30th your advising hold will be released within 3 business days of the completion date.
    • To access the “Engineering First Year Advising & Registration” Moodle site:
      1. Go to NCSU WolfWare at https://wolfware.ncsu.edu/
      2. Click on “My WolfWare”
      3. Login with your Unity ID and password (for more information see “Access Your Unity Account”)
      4. You should now see the “My WolfWare Home Page,” which defaults to current classes; click on the “projects” tab to the right of the “current” tab
      5. Click on “Engineering First Year Advising & Registration”

The College holds several New Summer Orientation sessions for first-year students in June and July. Students must register for one of the engineering-specific sections.

During the afternoon of your NSO session, all first-year engineering students will attend a welcome session, and an advising session where you’ll have the opportunity to ask any lingering questions you may have. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to attend other College of Engineering sessions where they can learn more about other programs and areas of interest within the College.

The following is a to-do list for students after attending NSO:

Credit Opportunities

New Student Orientation is the optimum time and place for new students to seek academic advising, to ask individualized questions, and to make enrollment decisions about your fall semester. Academic advisors will be prepared review your entire academic record and then explain how your credits will transfer into NC State as well as how they may or may not satisfy engineering degree requirements. While the following is only meant to be brief primer, you can expect many opportunities during the summer for comprehensive academic advising virtually prior to New Student Orientation.

REMINDER: All engineering degrees are designed to be completed within 8 semesters (4 academic years) for students ready to start in MA 141 Calculus I and CH 101 General Chemistry in their first semester.

You should visit the first-year writing placement chart to determine how you could be exempt from the first-year writing requirement (ENG 101) based on a standardized test score or transfer course credit from another institution submitted to NC State as part of their application process.

Students can earn credit toward completing the six pre-engineering courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics through Advanced Placement tests, transfer credits, other pre-college program options, or transfer equivalence.

  • MA 141 – Calculus I
  • MA 241 – Calculus II
  • PY 205 – Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
  • PY 206 – Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
  • CH 101 – Chemistry – A Molecular Science
  • CH 102 – General Chemistry Laboratory

Students must complete each of the courses above with a grade of C or better to receive credit and advance toward acceptance into an engineering department. The links provided below at the end of this section can be helpful resources for prospective students.

Visit the College’s CODA page for more details and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

In addition to the Success courses listed above, students will be required to complete E 101 with a C minus or better. E 115 is taken for credit-only so students are required to pass this course.

Newly admitted students to the College of Engineering must take both courses.

Visit the College’s CODA page for more details and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Students can earn credit toward completing advanced pre-engineering requirements through Advanced Placement tests, transfer credits, other pre-college program options, or transfer equivalence.

All engineering majors require the following courses in calculus and physics:

  • MA 242 – Calculus III
  • PY 208 – Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
  • PY 209 – Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory

Students must complete each of the courses above with a grade of C or better to receive credit. The links provided below at the end of this section can be helpful resources for prospective students.

All students at NC State must demonstrate competency at the Elementary II level in a foreign language (FL* 102) as a requirement for graduation. There are several ways in which newly admitted students may have demonstrated proficiency for the College of Engineering in their high school academic record or earned credit opportunities. Academic advisors will cover this topic at New Student Orientation and help students decide whether or not they must take the foreign language placement assessment, which will be offered over the summer if needed.

To learn more, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures provides foreign language requirements and placement information specifically for the College of Engineering.

Every NC State student must complete the GEP requirements to graduate. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, here are some ways newly admitted EFY students commonly satisfy GEP requirements using AP exam scores.

AP ExamAP ScoreNCSU Course(s)GEP Requirement
Economics: Microeconomics3, 4, 5EC 201Social Sciences**
Economics: Macroeconomics3, 4, 5EC 202Additional Breadth*
Environmental Sciences3, 4, 5MEA 100Interdisciplinary Perspectives
English Literature & Composition3, 4, 5ENG 208Humanities
Human Geography3, 4, 5GEO 200Social Sciences
Government & Politics: U.S.3, 4, 5PS 2** or PS 201Social Sciences
Psychology3, 4, 5PSY 200Social Sciences
U.S. History3, 4HI 252Humanities
U.S. History5HI 251 + HI 252Humanities plus Additional Breadth*
World History3, 4HI 233Humanities
World History5HI 232 + HI 233Humanities plus Additional Breadth*

*GEP Additional Breadth courses may be either a Humanities, Social Science, or Visual Performing Art. Multiple Humanities or Social Sciences courses from the same discipline can be used to fulfill Additional Breadth.

**All engineering majors require microeconomics, which is used to satisfy one of two required Social Science courses.

The links provided below at the end of this section can be helpful resources for prospective students.

Common Credits from AP Scores toward the General Education Program (GEP)

Every NC State student must complete the GEP requirements to graduate. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, here are some ways newly admitted EFY students commonly satisfy GEP requirements using AP exam scores.

AP ExamAP ScoreNCSU Course(s)GEP Requirement
Economics: Microeconomics3, 4, 5EC 201Social Sciences**
Economics: Macroeconomics3, 4, 5EC 202Additional Breadth*
Environmental Sciences3, 4, 5MEA 100Interdisciplinary Perspectives
English Literature & Composition3, 4, 5ENG 208Humanities
Human Geography3, 4, 5GEO 200Social Sciences
Government & Politics: U.S.3, 4, 5PS 2** or PS 201Social Sciences
Psychology3, 4, 5PSY 200Social Sciences
U.S. History3, 4HI 252Humanities
U.S. History5HI 251 + HI 252Humanities plus Additional Breadth*
World History3, 4HI 233Humanities
World History5HI 232 + HI 233Humanities plus Additional Breadth*

*GEP Additional Breadth courses may be either a Humanities, Social Science, or Visual Performing Art. Multiple Humanities or Social Sciences courses from the same discipline can be used to fulfill Additional Breadth.

**All engineering majors require microeconomics, which is used to satisfy one of two required Social Science courses.

The links provided below at the end of this section can be helpful resources for prospective students.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The various departments administer placement assessments for foundational pre-engineering courses that all engineering students must take. The College of Engineering does not oversee or control these tests in any way. However, as a courtesy, the College seeks to alert students to the placement assessments so that it may advise engineering students regarding the appropriate courses for their first semester. These departments (ex. Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.) may dis-enroll engineering students if they do not meet the minimum placement criteria.

You must meet minimum placement requirements to enroll in certain courses. These minimums have been established for student success. Data shows that students not meeting minimum placement criteria do not typically succeed in the course. Visit the websites for the Chemistry Placement Exam and the Math Placement Assessment for next steps if you want place into a higher-level course than what you have been placed.

Yes, you would still need to take the assessment according to the Math Department. Once completed, a score of 3 on the AP Calculus AB test allows you to enroll in MA 141. A score of 4 or 5 gives you credit for MA 141 and allows you to enroll in MA 241 (calculus two) if you like. You always have the option to decline placement if you feel more comfortable doing so.

A minimum score of 76 must be achieved on the NC State ALEKS Math Placement Assessment for you to enroll in MA 141. Therefore, the Math Department dictates that with a score less than 76 you should enroll in MA 111. To be eligible to enroll in MA 141 in the fall, you may retake the ALEKS Placement Assessment after spending time reviewing the support modules suggested for you by the ALEKS Assessment. Alternatively, you may enroll in a pre-calculus course over the summer elsewhere (credit must transfer into NC State as MA 108 or MA 111) or at NC State, assuming you are not expecting any AP Calculus exam scores to come in over the summer.

After taking the Placement Assessment and initially enrolling in a math course, you may earn placement in a higher level math course through AP calculus exam scores or transfer credit. However, not taking the Placement Assessment and instead waiting for transfer credit or AP credit to post to your account means possibly not enrolling in a math class until July or August when available seats can be scarce.

The College encourages any student who must take MA 111 to consider signing up for Summer Start so you can be prepared to enroll in MA 141 in the fall semester.

Yes, you should take the Math Placement Assessment seriously. This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the assessment, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math through the calculus 1 (MA 141) material. Students then have a chance to brush up on topics that may have been forgotten or haven’t been practiced for some time.

Engineering students should, if qualified, begin in MA 141 or higher. Otherwise, it is recommended for you to enroll in MA 111.

The Summer Start program offers MA 111; completing this course would allow first-year engineering students to prepare to enter MA 141 Calculus I in the fall semester. Therefore, the College encourages first-year students who were placed into MA 111 due to their score to consider applying before the deadline to attend Summer Start.

Keep in mind, that if you feel you could place higher on the ALEKS Assessment, you may take the assessment again (up to four attempts total). To have access to the Assessment again, you must spend time reviewing support modules provided by ALEKS Assessment.

As the University credit website shows, NC State will award credit for CH 101 + 102 with various scores from AP exams and IB exams as well as transfer credit.  However, if there is any chance that you might choose to repeat CH 101 at NC State to improve your understanding of the material, you must take the Chemistry Placement Exam because you must take the CPE in order to register for CH 101 at NC State. For this reason, the COE strongly encourages ALL incoming first-year engineering students to take the CPE.

Yes. In May students will have access to an online advising website Engineering First Year Advising & Registration through an NC State platform called Moodle. In Moodle, students will work through online modules designed to help them understand their degree requirements, the registration system, and how to build a first semester schedule. In late May students will be pre-registered for their introductory engineering course and have other recommended courses added to their MyPack Degree Planner, based on their intended majore. If students have completed all of the advising modules and placement assessments by May 30th, their advising holds will be released and they will be able to make changes to their fall schedules on June 1st. For students that complete the modules after May 30th, their holds will be released within three business days of their module completion. After a student’s advising hold has been released they will be able to make changes to their fall schedule online through the first week of fall semester classes.

If students are participating in Summer Start, then the Summer Start program will help students register for their summer courses prior to orientation based upon course recommendations from a COE academic advisor. To begin the advising and registration process for Summer Start, it is important that interested students apply before the deadline and complete both the Math and Chemistry Placement assessments as soon as possible.

Check your NC State email address regularly. Be sure to take the placement assessment. Complete the College of Engineering’s advising modules; update your fall schedule (June), and check out New Student Program’s New Student Checklist.

To be sure your coursework appears on your NC State transcript, you must ensure that official reports and/or transcripts are submitted directly to NC State (from your previous institution, the College Board, etc.).  To understand what AP Tests and Scores will earn credit at NC State, check out this resource. To know which courses taken at another institution will earn credit at NC State, visit the Undergraduate Admissions’ website about transferable credits. Check out New Student Program’s New Student Checklist for detailed instructions.

No worries. While the lack of a score may prevent you in certain courses initially, as soon as the scores are reported to Undergraduate Admissions the registration system will allow you to make changes to your schedule at home. There will be many students that need to wait on scores, which usually become available between around July 5th. Check out New Student Program’s New Student Checklist for detailed instructions about reporting your scores.

Advisors are assigned between mid-June and New Student Orientation.

An Enrollment Appointment/Date is the first day and time that students can begin registering for the upcoming semester, but only after their Advising Hold has been lifted. For your first semester, your Advising Hold will be lifted by the College of Engineering after you have completed the required advising modules. In future semesters, you should arrange to meet with your advisor prior to your assigned Enrollment Appointment/Date.

Yes!  Consider participating in Summer Start or contact the Study Abroad Office about FYI Abroad in Buenos Aires or Prague! Contact Office of Academic Affairs for academic advising at engineering@ncsu.edu or 919.515.3263.

Optional Programs for New Engineering Students

Summer Start is a residential program designed to assist new first-year students with the transition to our campus through five weeks of NC State courses and involvement opportunities during Summer II session.  Participating students will be advised by the College of Engineering to enroll in classes that satisfy degree requirements, which typically include pre-engineering courses as well as the General Education Program (GEP) courses. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities related to academic, social, recreational, or personal interests.  Examples include local trips to museums and parks, learning about campus traditions, time management and success workshops, and weekly cookouts.

Below are some examples of courses frequently taken by Engineering First Year students during Summer Start for a total of 6-8 credit hours:

  • Sample Schedule 1:
    • A chemistry course (either CH 111 or CH 101 plus CH 102 for 3-4 credits) – All students must complete NC State’s chemistry placement exam before registration advising and enrollment can begin
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (1 or 3 credits) – One of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Visual Performing Art or Health/Exercise Studies – See recommended, offered courses
  • Sample Schedule 2:
    • Academic Writing and Research (either ENG 101 or FLE 101 for 4 credits)
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (1 or 3 credits) – One of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Visual Performing Art or Health/Exercise Studies – See recommended, offered courses
  • Sample Schedule 3:
    • A math course (either MA 111 or MA 141 for 3-4 credits) – All students must complete NC State’s math placement assessment before registration advising and enrollment can begin
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (1 or 3 credits) – One of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Visual Performing Art or Health/Exercise Studies – See recommended, offered courses
  • Sample Schedule 4:
    • A microeconomics course (either EC 201, EC 205, or ARE 201 for 3 credits) – Required for all engineering majors
    • USC 100: Transitioning to a Diverse Community (1 credit) – Satisfies GEP U.S. Diversity
    • GEP Course (1 or 3 credits) – One of either Humanities, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Visual Performing Art or Health/Exercise Studies – See recommended, offered courses

To learn more about Summer Start, visit go.ncsu.edu/summerstart. Please feel free to contact the Summer Start staff with any questions at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234.

The Study Abroad Office offers a program for incoming first-year students to study in Prague or Buenos Aires while earning 3 credit hours toward satisfying the General Education Program, which is required to graduate.

Visit the Study Abroad Office’s website to learn more about FYI Abroad.

Current First Year Students

The first year is an opportune time to begin exposing undergraduate engineering students to the engineering profession, concepts, and habits of mind through the curriculum as well as academic advising. Your academic advisor is one of your most important connections at NC State. Academic advising contributes to student success, which happens both inside and outside the classroom. Along with helping you understand academic policies, explore majors, and select courses that fulfill your degree requirements, advisors can help you start planning your career, seek opportunities to develop important skills, and engage on campus to satisfy your intellectual curiosity. In addition, your advisor can help you plan ahead to include high-impact activities, such as internships, co-ops, study abroad, and research, into your undergraduate experience prior to graduation.

Finding Your Assigned Advisor

You were assigned an academic advisor prior to the start of their fall semester according to departmental preference.  Your advisor’s name is shown at the top of the student’s degree audit and in the Student Center of their MyPack Portal.

Advisors are assigned based on your engineering major of interest, as listed in your NC State application. Undecided students will be assigned academic advisors in the College of Engineering’s Office of Academic Affairs. You may request an advisor change as your interests evolve. Requests should be made only after you are confident in your decision.

The Office of Academic Affairs can assist answering any general questions about academic advising for the College of Engineering.

First-Year Advising from Academic Affairs

Location: Office of Academic Affairs, 111 Lampe

Wednesdays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Student Success GPS is a one-stop student success platform that students can access in two ways: either go to go.ncsu.edu/gps or open your GPS Mobile app. Alternatively, students can call 919-515-3263 to schedule an appointment with any advisor in Academic Affairs.

Scheduled appointments are typically for 15-30 minutes. To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor from the Office of Academic Affairs, do the following:

  1. Go to Student Success GPS and login with your NCSU Unity ID.
  2. Click ‘Schedule an Advising Appointment’ button.
  3. Enter the reason for your appointment such as ‘Meet with Engineering Academic Affairs’ or ‘COE Advising.’
  4. Select your advisor.
  5. Select an appointment time (available openings will appear after you make a selection from the grid).
  6. View confirmation details and click ‘Confirm.’

How to schedule an appointment in Student Success GPS on your web browser

How to schedule an appointment using GPS Mobile app

Coordinators of Advising by Intended Major

Click the names for their directory information.

Dr. Andy Hale

*A shared engineering program with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at NC State

Dr. Lianne Cartee

BME Undergraduate Advising

*A shared engineering program with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Med Byrd

*A shared engineering program with the College of Natural Resources at NC State

Meggie Metcalf (Students with last names A-L)

Heather Lyerly (Students with last names M-Z)

Center for Academic, Career, and Student Services (ACSS) – Advising in Wilson College of Textiles

*A shared engineering program with the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State

Academic Advising and Registering for Classes

The College pre-enrolls new incoming students into many of their first semester courses during New Student Orientation. However thereafter, you are responsible for enrolling yourself into the appropriate courses from then on forward.

Preparing for Advising and Course Registration

You have the primary responsibility for planning your individual programs and meeting graduation requirements.  Student Services Center provides resources and more information about tools, such as how to plan to satisfy degree requirements and how to perform a degree audit.

There are a variety of ways in which registration advising is performed. Therefore, your assigned academic advisor or your departmental coordinator of advising will communicate with you their expectations for registration advising, including when and where will advising occur as well as more detailed instructions on what to do.

Releasing Advising Holds and Registering for Courses

Your account may have holds on it that prevent you from enrolling in upcoming terms. One of which is the advising hold to ensure students go through the academic advising process before registering for next semester’s courses.

Once you have completed the academic advising process, your advisor will release your advising hold, so you can access and complete enrollment during your assigned time. Students must check their MyPack Portal to determine the specific day and time their enrollment window opens (Beware of other types of holds besides the advising hold that can prevent or delay registration during your enrollment window). Student Services Center provides you resources and more information about tools, such as understanding holds, prerequisites, and restrictions as well as how to use the enrollment wizard.

Advisors are assigned based on your engineering major of interest. However, if your interests are changing and you want to explore other engineering majors, then you are welcome to seek registration advising from the Office of Academic Affairs and have your advising holds released.

Exploring Academic Programs and Joining a Department (CODA)

All engineering students join the College as part of our Engineering First-Year Program. One of the College’s objectives in the program is to help you explore all of your academic options prior to joining a department. Academic advisors can assist you in your exploration, decision-making, and planning for engineering majors and career paths.

The CODA process was designed to help undergraduates in joining an engineering degree-granting program. Academic advisors are familiar with the CODA guidelines and can explain the process to you. Visit the College’s website for how to join a department for more details about the CODA process.

Engaging in High-Impact Activities

At NC State, we think and do. That is where high-impact activities enhance your engineering curriculum, and academic advising can help you make exciting, real-world connections between theory and practice.

Two of the College’s objectives in the Engineering First-Year Program is to help get you connected to important resources and to help you learn about engineering as a profession. Therefore, we encourage you during your first year to seek advising for a long-term educational plan that also incorporates experiences such as studying abroad, working via internships and cooperative education, researching, as well as leading through service. The College promotes a variety of high-impact activities and academic enrichment opportunities among all engineering students. Talk to your advisor about how to take full advantage of these opportunities and how they can enhance your engineering education.

Academic Difficulty

The College admits its undergraduates expecting them to successfully join and complete our engineering degree programs because incoming students have demonstrated that they have great academic potential. However, sometimes students encounter challenges and barriers toward academic success at NC State that, if unaddressed or unresolved, can hinder them from achieving their academic goals. Advisors promote student success by empowering students experiencing academic difficulty through the academic advising process as well as timely referrals to campus resources.

University regulation and rules have set forth academic policies to promote satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion, which are outlined and explained on the Student Services Center’s website. Academic advisors can help you understand the policies, come up with strategies for academic success, and connect you to important campus resources. Advisors can also help you explore your academic options, such as dropping a class, changing grading to credit-only, or full withdrawal from the semester, along the decision-making process.

The College also sets forth minimum academic standards for the Engineering First-Year Program on its CODA website. Only students in the Engineering First Year program meeting or exceeding the minimum grade-point averages will be guaranteed entrance into at least one of the remaining programs with available seats. Students unable to gain entrance into any engineering program (academically unqualified or below 2.0 for continuation) within four semesters will be transferred into the Transitional College Program (TRU) for assistance with intra-campus CODA into other programs in the University.

If you are experiencing any academic difficulty while enrolled in the College of Engineering, immediately seek academic advising from either your assigned advisor, your departmental coordinator of advising, or the academic advisors in the Office of Academic Affairs.

New Transfer Students

Transfer students are assigned an advisor after they return their confirmation forms and pay their deposits. The advisor’s name is shown at the top of the student’s degree audit and in the Student Center of their MyPack Portal.

Students have the primary responsibility for planning their individual programs and meeting graduation requirements. At your advising meeting, your advisor will release your advising hold, so you can access and complete enrollment during your assigned time.

A transfer student who does not find an advisor listed on their degree audit in MyPack Portal within 30 days of paying the deposit should email engineering@ncsu.edu.

Questions concerning general degree requirements may be directed toward the departmental Coordinator of Advising or the Office of Academic Affairs at any time.

Coordinators of Advising by Major

Click the names for their directory information.

Dr. Andy Hale

*A shared engineering program with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at NC State

Dr. Lianne Cartee

BME Undergraduate Advising

*A shared engineering program with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Med Byrd

*A shared engineering program with the College of Natural Resources at NC State

Meggie Metcalf (Students with last names A-L)

Heather Lyerly (Students with last names M-Z)

Center for Academic, Career, and Student Services (ACSS) – Advising in Wilson College of Textiles

*A shared engineering program with the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State